Wednesday, October 24, 2007

SMOKED SALMON & CREAM CHEESE BAGELS

It is no secret for those who know me that I love baking and eating a certain delicious ring-shaped Jewish bread called "Bagel" (pronounce "bay-gull"). It is a traditional speciality which never fails to make me salivate and crave for more!!!Although I had already blogged about this delightful bread two years ago (see post), I thought that I could once again talk about it by writing about how it is generally prepared and served in the delis (delicatessens) throughout the US and Canada...

Those "Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese Bagels" are undoubtedly some of the best sandwiches I've eaten so far. The bread is awesomely chewy, dense and tastes like heaven. The rich, velvety and soft cream cheese filling adds an incomparable smootheness and a luscious flavor of cream. The salmon and it's tangy touch of lemon juice brings some contrast with it's luxuriant, yet delicate flavor and it's exquisite smoke taste that revives the overall flavor ever so magnificently.

It is incontestably the king of all sandwiches and will rejoice any foodie who adores gourmet food!!!

The Bagel

I stopped to pick up the bagelrolling away in the wind,annoyed with myselffor having dropped itas if it were a portent.Faster and faster it rolled,with me running after itbent low, gritting my teeth,and I found myself doubled overand rolling down the streethead over heels, one complete somersaultafter another like a bageland strangely happy with myself.

Method:1. Mix together the cream cheese and the chopped chives.2. Cut each bagel through the middle.3. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly on both sides of the bagel.4. Top each bottom half with 1/8th of the salmon.

5. Then sprinkle with a few drops lemon juice.6. Finish by flipping the top half of the sandwich over onto the bottom half.7. Serve.Remarks:I bought Philadelphia cream cheese.If you want, you can toast the inside cut edge of the bagels under a preheated grill before you spread the cream cheese mixture.Instead of using chives, you can top the salmon with sliced onion rounds before flipping the top half of the bagel over onto the bottom half.You can add some fresh or dried dill to the cream cheese, if you desire.

Serving suggestions:It is so heavenly that there's no need to add anything superfluous!!!If you really need something to accompany your bagel sandwich, then serve with a sliced tomato or slices of cucumber.

Oh my God!!! I could kill someone just to have a single bite in these yummiyummi bagels!!!You know what, I tried a recipe one month ago and I was really disappointed coz my bagels was pretty hard but when I look at yours, I easily imagine how soft they are. Girl, I have to thank you so THANXXXXXXX.Bizzzz,Alexandra

I love smoked salmon, and its been ages since I've had it...now I'm craving it just as you have photographed it, with a bagel and cream cheese. Since its nearly midnight here, I suppose I will just have to settle for your tempting photographs. :-)